FEBRUARY 20, 2003

The question of HANS

The question of the Head and Neck Support system which is to be worn by Formula 1 this year has provided media outlets with ready-made stories when one driver or another has griped about wearing the new system. There were similar complaints in America while the drivers got used to wearing the devices but the HANS system is completely adjustable and so it is really down to the drivers and the teams to find a solution which is comfortable for them. The statistics in the United States show that the HANS system does save lives in big accidents and there is no evidence to suggest that any injury has been caused or even aggravated because a driver was wearing the device.

The FIA President Max Mosley said the other day that the FIA will not insist that drivers wear the HANS system but anyone not wearing the device will not be allowed out of the pitlane in Melbourne...